Princess SweetCheeks Picks A BLOVE Winner!

Okay-

It's a mystery here today.

You HAVE to watch

this little video clip

to know who won

THE GIVEAWAY.

There were 

80 entries.

If  SweetCheeks

 doesn't say 

YOUR NAME

just let me know that 

YOU WERE HERE...

but 

DON'T CONGRATULATE

THE WINNER.

Let her watch for herself.

There- at least now you

know a GIRL won.

AND she has a

SPLASH in her name.

Confused yet?

Watch and Understand!

Congrats to the winner.

Let me know when you figure

out you have won!

Some Sad News This Morning

Yesterday @ 7:15am our

friend, Keys,

passed away.

Keys was his legal name.

No first name or last name.

Just Keys.

He was a composer

and musician that

traveled around the

world in his heyday,

 playing the piano

for other's enjoyment.

He was a bit 

-ahem-okay-a lot-

quirky...which

made me enjoy listening

to his nonsense.

In the last few years,

he has not been in 

good physical condition

and those of us that were

closest to him

became his family.

In the last few months

he also became mentally 

confused due to complications

with his diabetes.

About 2 weeks ago he 

had a stroke and

rallied slightly in the hospital.

My son went to the 

hospital at night and

played his guitar and

sang for him

-sometimes until 2am-

 Keys

spoke to him and

recognized the songs.

My son & his wife managed

to get a laugh out of Keys-

something unexpected

because of

 the shape he was in.

Yesterday we spent all day

making arrangements

and driving 2 hours

North to tell his 90 year

old mother, 

that lives in assisted living,

 that she 

had lost her only son.

I won't be around much for 

the next few days.

I will pop in and out

but forgive me for not

visiting you on a regular basis

like I usually do.

This next week will be

spent cleaning out his

home before his rent

comes due at the end

of the month.

We figure right about now he

is up in Heaven

telling God what He needs to do

to run the place right.

Cuz that is how he rolls!

Say a prayer for his soul.
We will miss him.

I will do the drawing
for the giveaway
later this week.

Sweet And Sassy-Er-Salty

Did you think this was

going to be post

about 

SweetCheeks?

You know...

Sweet and Sassy?
(You DO see what the
shirt says, right?;>)

But- NOPE
This is going to be
a post about

Saltines.

Only they don't TASTE like

Saltines.

This is a fun little 

Sweet Treat 

that takes no time to 

prepare and is just 

plain good.

Sweet & Salty Saltines

(Trisha Yearwood Recipe)

40 Saltines

2 sticks butter

1 cup light brown sugar

8 oz (1 -1/3 cups) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 425º.  Line large cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lay out the saltine crackers.

In medium saucepan melt butter and brown sugar and bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour evenly over crackers.  Bake for  5 minutes (or just until bubbly).

Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over saltines.  As they melt spread them over cracker with a knife.  Transfer to freezer for 15-20 minutes or until completely cold.  Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

For really SWEET treat use graham crackers instead of Saltines.

For Crunchier cracker use one stick of butter rather than two.

You are going to love these!

Pinky promise!!!!

And remember-

Give these to your friends 

BECAUSE...

The fatter they get

The skinnier you look!;>) 

Tomorrow I will be posting

The winner of

The BLOVE giveaway.

Sassy SweetCheeks will be

doing the drawing today!

Terror In The Terrarium

Remember terrariums?
Remember the 1970's?
Remember the craze of those
mini-gardens?

A few weeks back I was

the winner of a giveaway.

MissKopyKat

generously offered to

give a terrarium book away.

She is a great gal, lovely really,

and she has a great blog.

Pop over and see her

AFTER your finish reading

MY BLOG!;>)

Lulu was fascinated by the book,

as I knew she would be.

Here is the model 

Lulu liked and she wanted hers

to look something like this.

Here's the book she drooled over.

We set a limit of  $20 to spend

to make one.

We hunted every thrift shop in the

area looking for an old aquarium

or a big old fishbowl.

Nary a one to be found!
The pet stores and Wallyworld
wanted $20+ just for the bowl.

All was not lost though because
we did find a couple

of little "residents" for our

plant filled haven at GW.

Finally, 4 stops later we 

 found a fishbowl on sale for $9.00

No top but we had the 

solution for that.

We found it at Stein Garden & Gifts.

We also  found our plants there.

Lulu dug right in.

She was not afraid of getting her 

hands dirty at all.

First she put a layer of 

potting soil in the bottom.

Next she added her plants.

She anchored her plants with 

a few rocks..some that Papa collected

while he was on vacation.

And last, but not least,

she placed two little

roaming bears

that now call this 

little piece of Eden

Home Sweet Home.

She was SOOO proud of the 

job she did.

We topped it with 

a clear glass salad plate

that fit like it was made for it.

Didn't she do a great job?

Now-if only I could crawl into

that perfect little environment.

I would be as happy as a pig in mud...

wait a minute..

that doesn't sound too flattering..

I mean as happy as

 can be!

Except..I don't think my 

computer would fit in there

with me...and then where would

I be?

I'd be trying to chat up two 

bares  bears.

Plus-my hair would be a

mess in all that humidity...

and size-wise I might be

just a tad squished.

Yeah-there's THAT!

And, THAT VISION, my friends,
is the
TERROR in the TERRARIUM!

Who's Still An Irish Elf Even After St. Patrick's Day

I know.

I know.

I know.

For most of you 

St. Patrick's Day

is over and done with.

For some of us...

It is an ongoing journey.

You see,

we have a couple of 

Little Leprechauns

that will always look

Irish.

You remember 

BigBoyE?

Irish.

And here's little

CharlesInCharge.

Notice the red in the hair?

Irish.

And here he is dressed for the day.

And what is THIS boy

looking so shocked about?

Well, he's surprised that

Nana didn't do the drawing

for the giveaway last night.

Why?

Well, because there was 

illness in the family and

SweetCheeks,  Ria

and Lulu

all went home early.

No princess costume..

No drawing...

Sorry Ladies!

I will do the drawing 

later this week

for the

BLOVE giveaway.

So...don't quit

on me, okay?

If I can't get SweetCheeks

over here to do the drawing

in the next day or so I am going

to have to stuff myself into

my old Princess costume..

and let me tell ya..

It Ain't Gonna Be Pretty
but
there will be a drawing!

An Irish Bloggers Limerick

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here's a little limerick

written by me for all my

Bloggy friends...

Irish- or not~

There once was a blogger by night,

Who stayed up all hours to write,

When she looked in the mirror,

She shivered with fear,

Cuz the person she saw there was a fright!

©Nana Diana 3/17/12

or..

There once was a blogger making crafts,

But confused her fores with her afts,

When her boat wouldn't float,

She shaved her old goat,

And spun herself a sweet raft.

© Nana Diana 3/17/12 

or..

There once was a blogger named Tete.

She says her name rhymes with Pete.

I've been calling her TeeTee

Which rhymes with PeePee

And now I am as red as a beet!

© Nana Diana 3/17/12

Okay-Well, I could do 

these little ditties all day..

but will stop here and

wish you a 

Last day to sign up for the

 BLOVE giveaway here.

Princess SweetCheeks

& Company

will be drawing the winner

tonight and I will

announce it tomorrow.

Vintage Style

You know how I said

I had pretty much given up

buying magazines...

and did not renew most

of my old subscriptions?

I was amazed at the amount 

of you gals that

 said the same thing.

Well, I am eating my words today.

 I flipped through 

Vintage Style

while waiting in the 

check out lane at

the local grocers.

Big Mistake!

BIG!

My eye was first caught by

THIS IMAGE!

I want that front screen door!

And then I flipped

another page or two.

Don't you love it?

I was hooked.

Then, the bargaining with

self begins.

Ever do that?

Okay- I didn't buy 

THIS TREAT

So~I can certainly 

treat myself to 

THIS.

Right?

Ever do that?

Well, I am a good debater,

just ask MyHero,

I win hands down 

every time...

at least that is what he will tell you...

I rationalized myself

right into taking this lovely

publication home.

It is a premier issue

and, if you love vintage,

so worth the money.

Look at this sweet room 

that awaits you...

I also love this little porch

Pink shutters against a pale yellow house

and look at the wire chandy.

I am off to do some more

drooling but I will tell you this...

RUN...don't walk...

to your nearest newsstand

and pick up your own copy...

and if you're feeling flush

you can add this to your 

cart, too~

Is there anything better

than eye candy 

accompanied by a 

taste treat?

Tell them 

Nana Diana

said it was okay...

to buy 

ONE MORE MAGAZINE

just this once!

I have a special

treat coming up myself

Little Lulu

(SweetCheeks older sister)

is coming to spend the 

weekend-

I can't wait!

Sweet Cheeks Sparkles And Shines

You've heard of 

Tuesdays With Morey?

Well, how about

Wednesdays With SweetCheeks?

On Wednesday

I picked 

SweetCheeks up after

her pre-school ended

at 11:30 am.

We usually pop by 

Starbucks...

of course we do!

She is always excited to 

see me and knows

that she will spend

the afternoon

at 

Nana's house,

a place containing

fairies and elves

and treats

(and she got her bangs trimmed

today--shhhh..don't tell her Mom)

She had a question for 

me today though.

I thought my answer was

GOOD...

I thought 

HER ANSWER

was amazing.

"Nana", she asked,

Why dhoes efveryone stahre aht me?

I don't think they do, SweetCheeks.

Yehs, they DO, Nana!

Ahdults stahre at me and

kids stahre at me

they all stahre at me.

Do yohu know why, Nana?

Because you are an engaging 

child, SweetCheeks?

NoH! (insert big disgusted sigh).

I'hm NOT engayged.

They stahre at me because

I 

SPARKLE INSIDE

AND

I sparkle outside, too.

They stahre at me because

I am girly and always haffe

bows or flowhers in my haihr

and because I am always

 shiny and smiley!

THASSS WHY 

everybody stares at me.

Well,  I guess she has that

figured out.

Usually when someone is 

staring at me it is because

I have a piece of 

TOILET PAPER

stuck to my shoe! 

ps.  Don't forget to sign up
for the
BLOVE giveaway-
Drawing is St. Patrick's Day!

Putting the FUN in FUNdraiser

My three little granddaughters

go to Parochial school.

And, because they don't get 

public funding

they do a huge fundraiser

every year.

My daughter, TPot, headed

THE FUNDRAISER

up this year.

She is a smart, sweet,

get-it-done

kinda gal.

As you can see, 

she likes her Starbucks, too!

When I walked into the

school I could 

NOT BELIEVE

the transformation!

Holy Cow!

I mean WOW!

 There was a 

smoking dragon at the entrance

He's not smoking here but

once they added the dry ice he 

was a sight to behold.

The halls were lined with 

white lighted tubes

and hanging lanterns.

There were tables set up for silent bids..

There was a 

Tour Of The World

food court area.

A Wine Auction Area

(Look at all the art work behind it)

The main floor setup at night was magical.

There was also a booth in

the back.

You paid $15.00 and got a 

Chinese take out box

guaranteed to be worth anywhere 

from $10 on up.

ONE BOX

held a Pandora's bracelet.

Now I will tell you that 

this is the booth

that MyHero and I worked.

We hawked those boxes

like nobody's business.

Well, I didn't win any of the

SILENT auction items

 I bid on.

MyHero dogged my heels

wanting to know 

HOW MUCH ARE YOU
BIDDING ON THAT?

Soon you will know why

THAT is funny.

I left before the oral auction 

started and didn't know if

I had won any of the silent bids.

MyHero however outbid

everyone for a 

Brewer's Box Seat-

the best in the house-

food included.

I won't tell you what he paid

for it but let's just say 

that he should have

KEPT SILENT!

I suppose 

The Devil made him do it!

The moral of this story is

Never leave a man alone

with a credit card or a checkbook

if there is a sports event 

involved.

Well, at least it'll keep the kids

in school one more year!

And..all I wanted was a 

flipping cloche for $30!

PS- Don't forget to sign up for the
BLOVE giveaway here.
Winner will be chosen on
St. Patrick's Day!

Saint Patrick's Setting For One

I don't 

PLAY

very much 

just for myself.

Now, for my grandkids

I will play make-believe

for hours.

I challenge them to 

learn new things

and enjoy pretty things.

Today, however,

I am 

PLAYING HOUSE

just for me!

I have some wonderful

dishes that my daughters 

splurged on for me.

They have 

Shamrocks on them and a tad

of gold trim.

Isn't this china sweet?

Here is the mark on the bottom.

We have looked for it everywhere

and can't find out anything

about it.
We did find Paragon china but
not this pattern anywhere.

If you know anything about it 

I would love some information.

There's a creamer but no

sugar bowl.

Now I did make some sugar cookies

for you to enjoy.

Cute cut outs in the oven...

SIGH...BIG FAIL!

The only one that didn't turn

into a big green blob 

was this one.

And, as you can see,

this is one plug ugly cookie.

Tasted good-but NOT purty!

Well, at least the dishes are pretty.

And a Belleek vase that my daughter

brought home from Ireland.

No Irish setting is complete

without a 

Bit 'O Shamrock 

The tea towel that wraps the

silverware belonged to

my hubby's great grandmother.

It is something I treasure 

because of the monogram on it.

W is also the letter for

my maiden name.

AND..

last but not least...

My friend, Judy, that I have known

for about 100 years

sent me this several years ago.

Now-What's the story there?

My Uncle Dick used to call me

Duffy.

His tag line to Duffy was..

"Duffy- Your hair is just the color of a fox fart!"

(I wonder what color he thought my hair was)

Anyway~

He said that most endearingly

I think...hmmmm...

I don't know where that came from but

I sure knew he loved me .

I made the big mistake of telling

my friend, Judy, that fact.

Thus-the book!

Did you see the title?

Duffy and the DEVIL?

Yeah...some kinda friend SHE is!

That does it!

Now I'm gonna spill her

secret, too.

Her nickname was

JUDD!

I'd much rather be a 

DUFFY

than a 

JUDD,

wouldn't you?;>)

just sayin.....

ps...the Devil made me tell you that!